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First-of-its-kind partnership is newest way Delta is bringing innovation to customer experience, leveraging out-of-the-box thinking.

Delta is tapping into the creative Forbes Under 30 community in a first-of-its-kind partnership to develop new and thoughtful flight experiences. The Delta Under 30 Advisory Board includes Forbes 30 Under 30 List honorees representing a diverse set of young innovators, entrepreneurs and risk-takers who are lending their propensity for disrupting a variety of industries to the Delta experience.

Delta commercial and operational representatives are collaborating with the board during its kick-off meeting Wednesday at Delta’s global headquarters in Atlanta. Teams will reimagine innovative products, experiences and offerings across the entire journey – from shopping online and traversing the airport, to the in-flight experience and beyond.

“Bringing together a diverse group of successful and innovative entrepreneurs gives us another window into future-forward minds who think differently about what’s possible,” said Julieta McCurry, Delta’s Managing Director – Marketing Communications. “Together, we are exploring scalable ideas that speak to what our customers tell us is important to their experience, and support the Delta-wide effort to transform travel into a part of the journey you can look forward to.”

Delta’s Under 30 Advisory Board is part of Delta’s ongoing work to develop innovative solutions to enhance the customer experience. While the global airline regularly connects with customers to shape experiences, it has also partnered with higher education institutions including the Savannah College of Art & Design and Georgia Tech to think critically and creatively about what’s possible.

“I’m so excited and honored to be joining the Delta Under 30 Advisory Board,” said Andy McCune, Cofounder ofUnfold. “Travel is embedded so deeply into every facet of my life. As the founder of a travel media brand that inspires millions of people to explore, connect and grow, I have so much invaluable insight from the next generation of travelers that I can’t wait to share with the Delta team. I’m a loyal Delta customer myself and I’m excited to help them reimagine the experience of air travel as they continue to innovate.”

Iyore Olaye, fellow Delta Under 30 Advisory Board member and IoT innovator (Product Manager, Bird Rides, Inc. prev. R&D Walker & Company Brands), added, “Every great trip starts with a great flight, and I am excited to contribute ideas to help Delta reimagine the customer journey to benefit all travelers. Travel is a hobby of mine– I am obsessed with curating every aspect of my travel experience, and my perspectives are inspired by my passion building physical and digital solutions focused on ideal customer experiences.”

Board members include: Brandon Bryant, Cofounder, Harlem Capital; Joseph Fasone, CEO, Pilot; Scott Kelly, Art Director, Abbott Mead Vickers; Nadia Masri, Founder and CEO, Perksy; Andy McCune, Founder, Earth; Kenny Nguyen, CEO, ThreeSixtyEight; Iyore Olaye, Product Manager, Bird Rides, Inc. prev. R&D Walker & Company Brands; Adegoke Olubusi, Cofounder, Helium Health; Fahmi Quadir, Founder & Chief Investment Officer, Safkhet Capital Management; Hillary Reinsberg, Editor in Chief, The Infatuation & Zagat; Nicholas Shekerdemian, Co-Founder, Headstart; Adina Tecklu, Cohead, Canaan Beta; Ann Wang, Co-Founder, Enrou; Lisa Wang, Founder and CEO, SheWorx; Windsor Hanger Western, Co-Founder, President & Publisher, Her Campus Media; Langston Whitlock, CIO, SAFETRIP; Peter Yang, Cofounder and Chef, Pokeworks; and Rachel Zarrell, New Initiatives Lead, Buzzfeed.

“Our Under 30s are young entrepreneurs who are growing their brands around the world, and they’re often on the go,” said Jessica Sibley, Chief Sales Officer, Forbes. “They are a great fit for an innovator like Delta that values diversity of thought and forward-thinking ideas, that will change the way we think about air travel today.”

Delta teams will carefully review the ideas shared, experiences discussed, and the feedback provided throughout the kick-off session to assess sustainable solutions for addressing the areas of greatest priority.